Spring Break
Band channels musical forefathers
Singer aims for subtlety
JULIE LEUNG
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: Variety
- Page 1 of 1
Just as the English Renaissance dominates the literary canon, the 1960s is the equivalent for the rock and roll canon.
At least, it is in Kevin Buckley's opinion.
"In my mind, that was when this kind of arty pop song was perfected," Buckley said. "It's the mid-60s. For people, those Beatles records are the Shakespeare poems."
As lead singer and songwriter for indie-rock band Grace Basement, Buckley said he strives to return to the basics of that musical era.
"I'm going for a more traditional approach to rock and roll," he said. "Traditional in the sense of older bands - bands that kind of set the mold."
When: 6 tonight
Where: Tasty World
Cost: TBA
More Information: www.myspace.com/gracebasementHailing from St. Louis, Mo., Grace Basement will perform tonight at Tasty World.
The four-piece band began as a one-man project headed by Buckley.
A trained violinist, Buckley began his music career on an Irish fiddle. Despite a proficiency in Irish music, Buckley said he had distaste for Celtic rock such as Flogging Molly.
"I just don't want to do that. There's not any subtlety," he said. "I don't intentionally mesh Irish tunes into a rock song."
Instead, Buckley said he wanted to create something "homespun," a quality that inspired the band's name.
"At the end of the day, I wanted (a band name) that was original," he said. "A lot of the music stems from bedroom songwriting - rock from when you are a teenager living in your parents' basement and recording songs on your four-track."
Before getting the other three band members together, Buckley already had recorded Grace Basement's album "New Sense" by playing each instrument on his own.
"Once I got these musicians, we had to change the songs a little bit and make them work in reality," he said. "A lot of the songs had to be reinterpreted. They kind of have more life - a kind of life you can't put in a recording."
When it comes to the album's quirky lyrics, Buckley said it was all a matter of spontaneity.
"The best ones pop up and you can't have anything in your conscious," Buckley said. "Most of the good stuff comes when you're not thinking about it. That's when the purest stuff comes out.
"I hope people shake their heads and a couple of songs get people dancing," Buckley said about the upcoming show. "I hope there is a line that makes everybody feel something."
At least, it is in Kevin Buckley's opinion.
"In my mind, that was when this kind of arty pop song was perfected," Buckley said. "It's the mid-60s. For people, those Beatles records are the Shakespeare poems."
As lead singer and songwriter for indie-rock band Grace Basement, Buckley said he strives to return to the basics of that musical era.
"I'm going for a more traditional approach to rock and roll," he said. "Traditional in the sense of older bands - bands that kind of set the mold."
GRACE BASEMENT WITH NATE NELSON & ORTRIGHT
When: 6 tonight
Where: Tasty World
Cost: TBA
More Information: www.myspace.com/gracebasement
The four-piece band began as a one-man project headed by Buckley.
A trained violinist, Buckley began his music career on an Irish fiddle. Despite a proficiency in Irish music, Buckley said he had distaste for Celtic rock such as Flogging Molly.
"I just don't want to do that. There's not any subtlety," he said. "I don't intentionally mesh Irish tunes into a rock song."
Instead, Buckley said he wanted to create something "homespun," a quality that inspired the band's name.
"At the end of the day, I wanted (a band name) that was original," he said. "A lot of the music stems from bedroom songwriting - rock from when you are a teenager living in your parents' basement and recording songs on your four-track."
Before getting the other three band members together, Buckley already had recorded Grace Basement's album "New Sense" by playing each instrument on his own.
"Once I got these musicians, we had to change the songs a little bit and make them work in reality," he said. "A lot of the songs had to be reinterpreted. They kind of have more life - a kind of life you can't put in a recording."
When it comes to the album's quirky lyrics, Buckley said it was all a matter of spontaneity.
"The best ones pop up and you can't have anything in your conscious," Buckley said. "Most of the good stuff comes when you're not thinking about it. That's when the purest stuff comes out.
"I hope people shake their heads and a couple of songs get people dancing," Buckley said about the upcoming show. "I hope there is a line that makes everybody feel something."
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